The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-11-05
TIE IDENTICAL PLACE.
A Fish Story the Truth OF which No In
teiiigcnt Man VIII Doubt

fishing. 1t was near the end OF the
trout season. so he went alone to avoid
interruption. Late in the afternoon he
burst into the editors den. with his
war paint still on, and proudly dangled
fine string of trout before the envious
eyes of the editor and Tompkins, who
was enjoying q smoke with him.
"What do you say to these" he
asked, trying to appear calm.
"They are beauties, and no mistake"
admitted the editor, with the air Of one
who makes great concession.
'Where did you catch emp" inquired
Tompkins, assuming an Indifferent air.
"Samc old place--up the Boardman.
near the shanty. Don't think l was
more than two hours taking the lot.
This one weighs pound and II quarter.
and he was game, l tell you"
.'Did you play himp" asked the
editor
"Play him! Well, should say dill;
and he played me. We had regular
rough and tumble of it for q spell, but
l landed him at last"
Just then he caught sight of Lawyer
Roberts, and rushed off to show him
the fish.
Tompkins and the editor looked at
each other. One thought was in both
minds. Lets 60 tomorrow" said
Tompkins; and, "Let's start early" said
the editor. Don't let's tell any one
else," said both.
The next morning at an unearthly
hour Tompkins stole out of the back
door and hurried over to the editors
house. Under the bedroom window he
gave the signal, but no one seemed TO
be stirring, so he went around to the
kitchen door. At the same time a
tramp emerged from behind the barn.
The tramp proved to be the editor
himself in his fishing suit. Tompkins
had on his fishing suit, but he was sure
he did not look as disreputable as the
other. However, both had their best
jointed rods and fine brass reels. Also
flies.
"rve been waiting for you over an
hour" said the editor Che had con-
tracted a habit of cXaggeratiom.
"Have you any worms?"
"A boxful."
"Come on then. or the whole town
| will be up and see u.s."
So they went. They had the EDITORS
horse and buggy, and drove briskly out
of town.
Though the morning was lovely in
its dewy freshness; though golden-rod
waved in the crisp cool air and asters
nodded their purple heads at them, and
here and there scarlet branch blazed,
heralding the approach Of autumn, the
two fishermen took no note of any thing
till they reached the old shanty, why're
they tied the horse and then followed
| the narrow track down the bluff to the
river.
II think we had better separate, so as
not to interfere with each other" said
the editor. So he fished one way and
Tompkins the other.
About an hour after the editor came
tramping over to where Tompkins was
patiently disengaging his hook from IN
old snag, which he had mistaken for a
bite.
Hello, wha. luck?" he asked, draw
ing his arm, wet to the shoulder, out of
the water.
20. I've caught one or two shiners,"
answered the editor in disgusted way.
"How many have youP"
''About the same" putting n fish.
worm on his hook and preparing tc
drop it into another hole.
The editor sat down on log and
watched him meditatively. Presently
he said: II declare l should like tt
know where the druggist caught those
yesterday" ~
"rd hate to 60 back without any
thing" said Tompkins.
just then along came barefooted
tow-headed, freckled youngster, with s
miserable little switch for IL pole, bu
the finest string of trout they had sci
eyes on in many day.
Again the editor and Tompkins hat
"but single thought"
Hello, Bub," said the editor
"whcre did You catch those?'
"Up here apiece" with backward
motion of his frowzzled head.
What will you take for them?'
asked Tompkins, voicing the editor
sentiments.
"Twelve shillin'.'
20, come now, that's pretty steep. '
"Same as chap from town paid me
yesterday, an these here are bigger'l
his'n."
"What kind Of a looking chap?"
IA feller with a long nose and one o
these here baboon fish poles. They
amt no account fishing around here,''
contemptuously.
Tompkins and the editor thought SC
too.
They paid him the 'twelve shillin';
they wound up their reels, and "stoot
not upon the order of their going" bu
went Mt once.
; Not far from the shanty they me
Roberts and the doctor.
Thought we'd have one more chanc
. at the trout before the times up" sal,
Roberts. "What luck did you have
and why do you not stay longerp"
: "First-rate luck. We've got all tn
} fish we want, so we did not care to sta,
; longer. Thought we'd leave few TO
YOU" And they drove on.